Center audio sounds horrible

[Aahhcc11]

My MME Premium is ~3 weeks old and so far I’m unimpressed with the B&O system. The center channel audio quality is weak at best, and frankly is surprising.

Is this unique to my vehicle or have others experienced similar?

If so, what have you done? Warranty claim at dealer? Replaced speaker on your own (and if so which kind?)?

Please advise.
Thanks

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[Pioneer74]

You want a more prominent center channel? I find the center channel overpowering and ruins the whole sound stage.

Something must be wrong if you feel it's not loud enough.

 

[MightyJawa]

Mine is 3 years old but the center speaker is dying. Sounds very garbled. I‘m a little concerned since this is the speaker where all of the warming message come out. If the speaker dies completely, will I still get the warning and safety messages? I’ve wondered if Ford would be willing to replace it even though it is out of warranty.

 

[Aahhcc11]

You want a more prominent center channel? I find the center channel overpowering and ruins the whole sound stage.

Something must be wrong if you feel it's not loud enough.

It’s too prominent AND it’s not a good sound. Seems cheap and shallow. Not the quality I had expected. I’ve had Harman karden and JBLs in most recent cars and they were both significantly better

 

[21st Century Pony]

Fellow member markboris swapped out the OEM (and crappy) sub in the right rear with a JL 16-channel amp, creating a sort-of amp - to - post-amp setup. I copied him. It really truly wakes up the OEM B&O speaker system.

Search for JL amp keywords with markboris as author.

 

[RWD_ER]

Yes very unimpressed with the audio system. Had to move the fader towards rear and just have to get used to it.

 

[Pioneer74]

It’s too prominent AND it’s not a good sound. Seems cheap and shallow. Not the quality I had expected. I’ve had Harman karden and JBLs in most recent cars and they were both significantly better

Oh, well, then yours is functioning normally.

Sorry. But Ford is cheap when it comes to audio.

 

[DugthePug Dad]

Try putting the fade to the middle of the back seat. It quiets down the front speaker and gives it a good balance for me anyway.

 

[Aahhcc11]

Oh, well, then yours is functioning normally.

Sorry. But Ford is cheap when it comes to audio.

so then what is a good, reasonably priced speaker to swap in?

 

[Aahhcc11]

Try putting the fade to the middle of the back seat. It quiets down the front speaker and gives it a good balance for me anyway.

Do you go all the way to the back seat? Or somewhere between center and back?

Also can you take a photo of your treble, mid, and base or just tell me your levels for each?

I listen to a lot of 90s/2000s rock and alt/indie.

My 2 boys are digging imagine dragons these days and they don’t sound as good as they did in our Volvo.

 

[DugthePug Dad]

I put it in the middle of the center back seat.

I have not messed with the equalizer much.

 

[Mach1E]

so then what is a good, reasonably priced speaker to swap in?

Unfortunately I don’t think it’s that simple. I tried that in my last car (replaced the crappy Bose speakers with better aftermarket) and I really didn’t gain anything. The treble was slightly more clear but I lost a lot of mid range. Crappy paper speakers happen to be quite efficient and can make decent mid range with minimal power.

Step 1: adjust the audio settings. Stereo mode sounds better and fade more to the rear like was suggested.

Step 2: add a JL powered subwoofer under the rear deck

After those steps the sound quality is drastically improved. But if still not satisfied it’s going to be very involved and expensive from there.

 

[troublebot]

Mine is 3 years old but the center speaker is dying. Sounds very garbled. I‘m a little concerned since this is the speaker where all of the warming message come out. If the speaker dies completely, will I still get the warning and safety messages? I’ve wondered if Ford would be willing to replace it even though it is out of warranty.

I'm betting your center speaker is blown, this has been a really common occurrence. I couldn't even get Ford to replace it under warranty because the dealership couldn't replicate the issue (it got worse as it "warmed up" and they'd turn the car on, listen to the speaker, it sounded fine, turn the car off and then try again the next day so of course it never happened).

I ended up buying a new center speaker here:
https://ford.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/ford-inst-panel-speaker-jx7z18808b

Used trim removal tools to pop out the cover, 2 screws to remove the speaker, unplug, plug in new speaker, screw in x2, pop cover back on. It took 5-10 minutes max and has sounded fine ever since.

The dealership probably spent more money on labor having someone "test" it than I spent to replace it myself.

 

[AliRafiee]

The speakers in my 22 GT sound amazing.

 

[Vgkfan]

Unless I’m mistaken, the center channel isn’t used when set to stereo, only when in surround. May help you troubleshoot the issue.

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